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Tuesday, 19 May 2015

(I wrote this blog nearly a year ago, and somehow never
managed to finish it off and publish it.So here it goes.A bit late.Still brought a smile to my lips when I read
it though.Thought you might just feel
the same.)

So I’ve been doing some commissioned hand sewing work for a
friend of mine.The most magnificent
goodies.And much as I’d love to share
pics, I simply can’t.We’ve got markets
starting this week, pretty much running straight through until Christmas, and
for now, we’d like to keep the products under wraps.

Anyway, I do most of the sewing at night.Sitting in front of the TV after supper,
while my family is all around me.And
then, once the kids go off to bed, Grant and I tend to watch a mini-series
together, before he heads off to bed.And that’s when I come out to play.

My house is all quiet.Nobody demanding my time.My
attention.No one is hungry.Needs help with their homework.Needs me to quiz them for a test.Help them with an oral or a school
project.Or drop them off somewhere.

I have some creative time.It is pain staking, detailed work.But it is beautiful.And super
rewarding.At the end of every evening,
I can look back and see the evidence of my night’s work.

But here’s the thing.I enjoy some company whilst working.Undemanding company.

And it is at this exact point, that I invite the Surgical
Interns doing their fellowship at Seattle Grace Hospital, to enter my
lounge.But I’m not really all that
classist.I’m quite happy to invite the
Attending’s, as well as the Chief himself too.All in the interest of increasing my medical knowledge of course …

And let me be straight with you – I’ve been doing A LOT OF
SEWING and late night work.Which means
that I’m quite happily whizzing my way through the whole Grey’s Anatomy series
for about the 3rd time.The
joy in “watching” something like this so many times is multiple.Firstly, I know it already.So I can but merely listen.I don’t need to make eye contact with
them.And they seem to be quite happy
with my divided attention.They’re
remarkably undemanding.Secondly, there
are no nasty surprises.I mostly know
who’s going to be offed.Who’s going to
pull through.And who’s going to become
romantically involved with whom.Thirdly, I can verbally talk along in some cases, as I know the
lines.This is rather scary, as I’ve
clearly done A LOT of time, doing Grey’s.Fourthly, I really love the characters.Some more than others.Dr
McDreamy is dreamy indeed.It is rather
nasty I know, but occasionally I plot on how I’m going to fly over to Seattle,
knock off Meredith Grey, and nab him all for myself.

However, this does present a rather tricky problem.These doctors are rather good.And given the fact that I’ve watched 8
seasons already (I know – I’m a few behind, but I’m savouring them before indulging
and watching), they’ve covered a lot of medical ground.Loads of extreme cases, covering just about
every medical emergency, mystery and illness known to man.In fact, some might probably not be known,
anywhere apart from at Seattle Grace.The bottom line, is that this means, that these good docs have a fair
amount of experience, with dealing with things out of the ordinary.I’d really have to work hard at making it
look like an accident, in case they bust me.And in addition, I’d have to make sure it’s damn near incurable.In case they save her in the end.

Anyway, I’m getting distracted.The thing is this, I’m pretty sure I’d make a
rather awesome surgeon round about now.I could intubate and resuscitate with the best of them.But the trick is this – in what area should I
specialise?Should I go with
Cardiothoracics, Orthopaedics, Neuro, Paediatrics or something else that ends
in an “ics”?That is the question.

I find myself randomly wanting to say phrases like, “Push
three of Epi”.Or, “Run a central
line”.Even though there is no cause
whatsoever for saying any of this.Nor the
need to perform one of these procedures either.At an ignorant and idiotic driver in rush-hour traffic, I’d like to say,
“Do you want me to give you a subdural bleed with a midline shift?”Or, “Don’t make me get out of my car, it is
sure to cause Ventricular Arrhythmia”.So many, many choices.And I
haven’t even touched on a Pulmonary Embolus yet.Nor a Dissected Thoracic Aorta.And don’t even get me started on the marvels
of plastics.I could happily rearrange a
face or two…

I’m basically convinced, that if I put my mind to it, and
put my sewing down for long enough, to give the study of medicine my undivided
attention, I’d be a sure fire candidate for the Harper Avery Award.The one that only exists on TV that is.In Grey’s Anatomy Land.But alas, sewing beckons.It’s fun.It’s creative.And there’s far
less blood.Which actually suits me
best.

Which doesn’t mean that I can’t indulge my Grey’s side,
every so often. Particularly with my children.

Cause in the afternoons, when I do my rounds, going from bedroom to
bedroom, with my clipboard clasped against my chest, ticking off what homework
they’ve done, and must still do, I can threaten them with obscure medical
procedures.Some of them even sounding
vaguely plausible…

And then when they take a long time to do something, or follow an instruction, I have to physically restrain myself from barking, “STAT!!!”, at them.(Such fun – particularly when they flinch!)

Thursday, 12 February 2015

Never let it be said that I’m not a deep thinker.Someone who gives thought to the world and
how she works.

Now I might appear to be all airy, fairy and fluff on the
top.But deep inside, my mind is
twisting and turning.Thinking deep
thoughts.

Never mind the horrors of famine, 3rd world
debt, testicular cancer, our failing education system, the disaster that is
Eskom (our most unreliable source of no power), rife unemployment and the fact
that I can’t find a download for The Walking Dead Season 5.

No sirree Bob.Apart
from all of the above, I have even deeper thoughts…

Of all the ridiculous things to give energy too!Yet, there it is.Double bloody lane, traffic bloody circles.

Cause here’s the thing.A one lane traffic circle, is rather easy to traverse.You merely yield to the right.Wait your turn.And drive around the flat looking fried egg
in the road.And take the turn-off you
need.Easy peasy lemon squeezie.In fact, I find traffic circles rather
charming.Really helps with traffic
flow, and it’s a fair and equal system.Courtesy is called upon, and if everyone plays by the rules, it’s great.

And then, some blithering eejit, decided to think out of
the box.And “invented” the double lane
traffic circle.Blithering eejit indeed.

It’s actually a no-brainer.The rules are as such.The person
on the outside lane, can turn off at any exit.Yet, the person on the inside lane, may not.

SO HOW DO THEY EVER LEAVE THE CIRCLE???

Do they simply go round and round until they run out of
petrol?Do they eventually go completely
mental from getting dizzy being stuck in their perpetual spinning cycle?And do only the young, brave and foolish,
eventually risk “breaking the law”, as well as life and limb, to try
and exit the circle?

Because I’m pretty much convinced.That right at this moment.In fact at any given time.There are simply hosts of dithering old
dotties and shrinking grey-haired men, wearing hats and peering over their
steering wheels.Who’ve been stuck in
the double lane traffic circle, at the Mall closest to them, since Wednesday
morning, when the popped down for the Pensioner’s breakfast special at the
Wimpy.

If only I worried about real stuff.Like our Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation
address today, the state of our economy, the escalating crime, failing health
care, and the fact that I can’t find any nice big mangoes at the moment…

Monday, 5 January 2015

Amongst other small gifts, I also gave my kids tooth decay for Xmas
5 January 2015

Christmas stocking fillers.They can be problematic.Fun, yet
one has to put a bit of thought into it.

Generally we give our kids one big present for Xmas.Something super special, and perhaps a bit
pricey.A real Xmas present gift.Maybe some huge box under the Christmas tree,
tempting them mercilessly.And causing
them to pick up said box, perhaps shake it a bit, and turning the guessing
before the time, into almost as much fun as the actual gift itself.

But then, we also do stocking fillers.And the thing with stocking fillers is this –
the gift must be small enough to fit into the stocking (ideally - though
occasionally, I’ve plopped a gift on the floor just underneath the stocking),
and affordable.Cause here’s the thing –
I have to fill up three kids stockings for them.

So this is my dilemma – how to find something marginally nice
costing between R5 – R50 for three kids, when you need to do at least a few
gifts in each stocking to give it some body, is rather challenging.I scour the markets before the time.Buying silly bracelets, cheap make-up, balls,
water balloons, swimming goggles, chocolates, etc.Hey, they got
lucky.Growing up, my mom was sneaky
enough to fill our Xmas Stockings with stationary for the next year at
school.Though possibly, her thinking
process was inspired.Pens, pencils,
erasers, rulers and pencil sharpeners are small enough to fit into a stocking,
and do help to give it some shape.Though there were treat items too. (Thanx Mommy!)

Food items are also always hugely popular.I tend to try and put something unusual in
it.Perhaps an odd nice sweetie or two,
they wouldn’t normally get.Still one
year, they each got a block of Mozzarella cheese – their favourite.Another year, they each got a bottle of
olives.Yet another, a tin of condensed
milk.So yes, I try to think out of the
box.

And then this year, I decided to veer off the track a
bit.In addition to giving the kids
water balloons, comics, balls, bracelets, etc.I thought I’d up my game a bit.And give them something unusual.

So I went with tooth decay.

Each of them got their very own bottle of Nutella chocolate
spread.

Much to their delight.They were charmed.They’ve kept
their jars in their rooms, and have resorted to initially dipping fingers, and
now long stemmed soda spoons, to get some chocolate gooey goodness.They’ve also proven to be rather resourceful,
exhibiting some as yet unwitnessed before culinary skills… Adding Nutella to
Hot Chocolate or Milo.Even as an Ice
Cream topping.Or better yet – straight
from the jar.

A lot can be deducted about my kids, from their approach to
their jar of Nutella.

Luke indulged in thick lashings of Nutella on fresh white
bread.Stirred into his hot
chocolate.Dribbled over Ice Cream.Self-indulgent spoiling – just for him.

Amber shares with everyone.Her numerous friends and cousins.Inviting everyone to grab a spoon.Making sarmies for all.

Cole showed his usual lack of self-restraint.No time to wait for a spoon, instead fingers
stretched to the max.He’s not a great
advertisement for the merits of delayed gratification.

Anyway, the delight my simple bottle of R28 per child has
given them, has been a joy to behold.It
really is the simple things in life.

Thursday, 1 January 2015

Oh my word!Firstly, huge big apologies for being so
scarce.I’m missing my writing
terribly.I started a new job towards
the end of September, and am finding it increasingly difficult to juggle work,
my family, my home, my Jumping Castle business, daily walks and blogging.And thus walking and blogging have taken a
bit of a backseat.And oh how I miss it!

It is amazing how fulfilling
and creative writing is.How it opens a
space in my head and truly taps into my core.Making me take stock of my life, on a daily basis.

The end of an old year and
the dawn of a new year, is also traditionally the time when others take stock
of their lives too.People reflect on
the year that has been.Some set goals
for the year to be.It is also a time to
ponder.To give thanks for the good that
was.And wave goodbye to the awful that’s
passed.

For me, 2014 was a
challenging year.I’ve taken a few
knocks along the way.Some hard.Some even harder.Others a mere blimp, yet they caused ripples
nonetheless.But there was great joy
too.

My motto has always been to
not dwell on the things and situations that have brought me sorrow, discomfort
and pain.I’d far rather embrace the
good.Rejoice in the wonder, the magic,
the best bits of life.

For me, 2014 shall always be
remembered as the year I fell majorly in love with my Grantie again.In a really big way.

We hit a few doozies in
2014.Faced a few obstacles.But we’ve grown stronger.Closer.Become more connected.Enjoyed one
another more.

I’ve realised that he will
always have my back.As I have his.Be my staunchest supporter.And that we make a really, really good team.

And thus, I’m not setting any
major goals for 2015.I just want to
come out at the end of it all.And think
to myself, that despite the many ups and downs, I’ve still got my Grantie.

And in my book that’s great.

Perhaps at the end of it all,
life is not about the experiences you’ve had.The places you’ve been.The things
you’ve accumulated.The stuff you’ve
done.

It’s about the people that
have joined you on your journey.And I’ve
clearly picked a great crew.